Easyjet may fly from new Berlin airport this autumn

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Berlin's ill-fated BER airport could be partially open from autumn, but only for Easyjet. The move has ruffled feathers of other airlines, it was reported on Wednesday.

Easyjet currently flies out of Schönefeld airport, which is right next door to the overdue, over-budget Berlin Brandenburg BER airport. And from autumn 2013, the airline could be the first to move over to the still-closed airport.

The move would be, Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel said, a symbolic start for the hub in the face of adversity.

Airport chief Hartmut Mehdorn said this week he believed a staggered opening would be the best approach for BER. Between now and then there is still lots to be done on the Northpier area where Easyjet would operate.

Before the planes can make the move, the fire safety system needs to be fixed and the region's state planning authority has to give its approval.

Easyjet told the newspaper on Wednesday that they were excited about the potential move, as it would bring them up to speed with other more upmarket airlines flying out of the city, like Lufthansa and Air Berlin.

German Easyjet boss Thomas Haagensen did say, however that he realised “the decision is not up to us.”

Condor, a charter airline, told Der Tagesspiegel that it had not had an offer to move but if it were to receive one, discussions would be held in private and the media not informed.

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